Neil Diamond Fans Donate Refunded Ticket Fees to Charities

Neil Diamond thanked fans for their “outpouring of love and support” after many of them donated refunded concert ticket fees to charities. He announced his retirement from touring this week as a result of Parkinson’s disease, saying the illness had “made it difficult to travel and perform on a large-scale basis.”

Fans who’d purchased tickets for his planned tour of Australia and New Zealand in March got their money back from promoters, but some decided to put the cash toward causes, including Parkinson’s research, animal rescue and accident-victim funds.

“Wow, I’ve received a bunch of messages from people in Aus & NZ who are donating their ticket refunds to good causes," Diamond’s wife and manager Katie wrote on Twitter: "My heart is so full of joy to see this silver lining. Faith in humanity = restored. Thank you!”

Diamond himself tweeted later, “This makes me smile. Thank you. Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of love and support. It makes a difference.”

“I plan to remain active in writing, recording and other projects for a long time to come," the veteran singer noted in his retirement announcement. "My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world. You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘so good, so good, so good’ thanks to you.”

Diamond's career has included inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the release of 32 studio albums and 11 No.1 singles between 1970 and 1982.